Recently, X (formerly Twitter) has been abuzz with the speculations that a Nintendo Direct was coming for close to a week now with the term “Nintendo Direct” trending multiple days in a row. That Nintendo Direct came this morning and we’ve got the biggest highlights ready to share with you!
Splatoon 3 DLC - Side Order.
Side Order is the wave 2 DLC for Splatoon 3. Side Order is a single player mode meant to be very replayable. Nintendo is releasing Side Order in Spring 2024.
Mario vs Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong has stolen all the Mini Mario toys and it’s up to Mario to get them back. Mario vs Donkey Kong is a puzzler platformer where Mario will have to retrieve a key in order to move forward. The original game was on Gameboy Advance but will release on the Switch February 16th.
Super Mario RPG Remake
Nintendo had already announced that a remake of Super Mario RPG was in the works and set to be released in November. Today we got a few new pieces of information about it. First, there will be button timing effects that allow characters to hit all enemies at once. It feels similar to the gunblade attacks in Final Fantasy VIII. Second, there will be a gauge that fills during combat and once full, a 3 character triple move can be unleashed on enemies. Lastly, there will be post-game content including a boss fight mode that can be unlocked after playing through the game.
Princess Peach Showtime
Nintendo previously announced that they were working on a Princess Peach game. Now we know that it's called Princess Peach Showtime and will be on the Switch on March 22nd. The premise is that Princess Peach and the Toads went to the theater but of course trouble is waiting for them. Princess Peach will have to team up with the theater’s guardian, Stella, to save the theater and its shows. Peach will go through a series of costume changes that completely change the gameplay. She can be Swordfighter Peach, Detective Peach, Patissiere Peach, or even Kung Fu Peach.
SaGa Emerald Beyond
AaGa Emerald Beyond is an RPG that feels like Square Enix’s Octopath Traveler. There are multiple characters each with their own unique storyline. There are 17 worlds to explore and players shape the story with their own choices. Emerald Beyond is the first SaGa game since 2018. While no release date was given, it is expected to release sometime in 2024.
Tomb Raider I, II, & III Remastered
The original Tomb Raider games are coming to the Nintendo Switch. It has been remastered to allow for a prettier game but players can also switch to the original graphics. The collection will also include all the DLC expansion packs for all three games. Tomb Raider I, II, & III Remastered will be on the Nintendo Switch on February 14th, 2024.
Detective Pikachu Returns
After a wildly successful 3DS game that spawned a movie starring none other than Ryan Reynolds, Nintendo is hoping to spark the magic again. Detective Pikachu is back and is teaming up with Tim to find his father, Harry. He’ll team up with other pokemon and use their strengths to help Tim get reunited with his dad when Detective Pikachu Returns releases on October 6th.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD
Luigi’s Mansion 2 is getting an HD remaster for the Nintendo Switch. Luigi with the use of his poltergust is going to be taking care of a little ghost problem. Local and online multiplayer modes will support up to 4 people. Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD has a release window of summer 2024.
F-Zero 99
F-Zero, the long neglected Nintendo IP is finally coming to the Nintendo Switch. Much like Tetris and Pac-Man, F-Zero is coming as a Battle Royale for Nintendo Online subscribers. Watch your power level because if it runs out, you’re out of the game! Crashing into other players, or going off the beaten path will cause the power level to drain faster. F-Zero 99 will be available today.
Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes
Eiyuden Chronicles was a crowdfunded project that was delayed in 2020 thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, the team has been hard at work and that has finally paid off. Hundred Heroes will be a 2D RPG that reminds me of the art style in 3DS Fire Emblem games. A major element to the gameplay will be the recruitment of a large number of hero allies. Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes will be released on the Nintendo Switch on April 23rd.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe DLC
The last wave in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course DLC is set to release Holiday 2023. We now know that this final wave will include Daisy circuit from Mario Kart Wii. Wave 6 also includes Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, Pauline, and Peachette.
New Amiibos
Nintendo has announced that Zelda and Ganondorf amiibo based on their character models from Tears of the Kingdom will be released on November 3rd. Noah and Mio from Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will have amiibo out on January 19th. Sora is getting a Smash Brothers amiibo in 2024 and that will complete the Smash Bros amiibo collection.
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Nintendo concluded their Direct by announcing that a remastered version of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is coming to the Nintendo Switch. The RPG, originally on the GameCube, has had fans clamoring for years to see it come to the Nintendo Switch and it looks like Nintendo was listening. The Thousand Year Door is set to be released sometime in 2024.
An honorable mention has to go to The Nintendo Museum. While It wasn’t a game announcement, it was exciting to hear that a Museum dedicated to the history and story of Nintendo is under construction and should be completed by March of 2024. That and many other announcements can be found by watching the roughly 40 minute long Nintendo Direct.
